Wichita eagle., 1887-04-09
RAILROAD RACKET.
The Frisco Steals March On the Kansas Mid
land-Injunctisn Fiied-Comments OF
City Attorney on the situation.

land-Injunctien Fiied-Comments OF
| City Attorney on the situation.
| Yesterday developed quite furry in rail-
road matters The railroads labored and it
would seem that much more than mouse
was brought forth. The news soon spread
over the city and the early rnorning hours
foHnd quite number OF people going TO and
from the active scenes and it was one Of the
leading topics OF discussion on the streets.
At early dawn, il appears that the Frisco
company was represented by a large gang Of
section men near the union depot. They had
been collected especially for the occasion
from several miles along the road They
were set at work laying switch from their
line near OAK street across the country to
| Washington avenue. The switch joins
Washington avenue about one hundred and
twenty feet south Of Oak street..
It viii be remembered by those UP in rail
road matters that the Kansas Midland right
OF way franchise through the city calls for
Washington avenue from the north to the
Frisco line, thence west to Dover street
then south on Dover to Mosley avenue, aud
still south to the south limits Of the city.
The route of the Kansas Midland will be
very suggestive % the Gauge Of. the Frisco's
action yesterday, since the affinity between
the Frisco and Kansas Midland has OF late
grown very rapidly. The Frisco wanted to
get switch built across to the Kansas Mid
| land before the Rock Island came along.
When tie lutte scheme Of the Frisco be-
1 I'll
went ahead laying track as usual. About 3
/ o'clock in the afternoon they reached the
new switch Of thu Rock Island and had
enough respect for the same to allow it to re-
main for further action. Later on the Frisco
was served with an injunction which stopped
| spike driving.
| A number of councilmen were heard speak
| ing of the war move last evening and ali
stated that tho Frisco had no right
to lay switch where they hal
selected. The land it was claimed
had been bought by the Frisco Company but
Mead avenue was controlled by the city and
could not bs crossed by that company at tina.
point without gaining leave Of ths city coun
Gil Mead avenue had been granted the
Rock Island Company and crossing Mead at
that point was infringing upon tho rights OF
the Rock Island.
The city attorney was questioned concern
ing the matter and stated thas the Frisco
Company had no right to cross Mead at that
point and the Rock Island Company As city
could by a number OF ways give them an air
line road or make it SO crooked that it would
be Of little use. He thought the best way to
remove the track if it was SO desired, would
be TO order the street commissioner TO con-
centrate his force on it aud make gap as
wide as Mead avenue.
In connection with the council granting
the Kansas Midland franchise is bit Of
very interesting local history which, IS yet,
has not succeeded in bearing fruit. 1t viii
be remembered that at that time the ques-
ton Of giving each railroad street throu b
which to enter the city was at fever heat.
The Kansas Midland had been asked to be
allowed Washington avenue. That is half
section line and is open from north to south
and not house in the street which would
have to be removed by the company. Such
enthusiasm was displayed over the question
that some members of the city council asked
al opinion from thu committee OF tv,lty.
That body appointed q committee Of taree
to investigate tho question and report at
next meeting the following Monday night, it
then being the previou. Friday. IL became
evident to the Kansas Midland representa-
tives that Washington avenue for the entire
length was just little more than the coun
c,l would stand, ard now for tbs next best.
A messenger was started early Saturday
morning around among the members of the
council, and gave each a song and dance to
the effect that now all the other msmbsrs OF
that body had agreed to attend . msetiag
that night and no bowling mob
would DO present to blind ths Judgment or
disturb any one and that that was the time
10 settle the right of way business. Oh,
yes, just come on now and we will make a
compromise with you, and before any one
kno ws it we will have the question settled
and then let the natives howl aud gesticulAte
Well, each member of the council believing
that all tho others had agreed to attend a
meeting and had also agreed to pass the or
dinance as it was passed, he was led to join
in the chorus and sing dslic,ously, "I'll be
with you, with you, with you," and as is
known kept his word. The whole affair
took the committee Of three of the commit
tee Of twenty under the tender rib and a
high pressure rage is repeated as existing i'll
soma sections when the fact became
known. Why this reported rage! Well,
down Wabash avenue and it is not opened
up for some distance north Of Oak street ami
would have to be bought by tee Company.
Bus no that was a black streak aud that not
On hot day and the council met on Satur-
day night.
1t vas thought that the fate OF the Cedar
vale which fell to Hosley avenue was sealed
by tho action of the council concerning the
Kansas Midland. The "black streak" falls
IN line for that road which was given the
c. B. by the Kansas Midland 1hs ordin-
ance now pending relating 70 that BLACK
streak it il thought will be one OF tbs frst
animated questions to agitats the new
council.
WHAT WILL WICHITA BH7
Mr. and Nrs Shsllao srssr, a heavy capt. !
talist Of Decatur, III nois, are visiting r.
A. W. Oliver They have been some three
months on the Pacific coast aud are this far
on their road home Mr. Sneilabarger has